Sign



| E. CUNNINGHAM .April 2, 1940.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1940. CUNNINGHAM 5, 0

SIGN

Filed Sept. 29, 1937 4 Sheets-$11601. 2

| I I I I Illlll l van ml April 2, 1940. L. E. CUNNINGHAM SIGN I FiledSept. 29,

1937 4 Shepts-Sheet 3 Lyman E. Gummy/1am L. E. CUNNINGHAM April 2, 1940.

' SIGN Filed Sept. 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Lyn Gummy/9am Patented Apr.2,

. SIGN- Lyman E. Cunningham, Cleveland, Ohio Appllcationseptember 29,1937, Serial No. 166,400

37 Claims.

structure which may be readily knocked down,

or altered in shape, size ,and design, and which lends itself readily tovariation-in the display features by permitting. a quick and ready.change of elements forming a portion of the display,

whether illuminable or not, as well as ail'ording a ready means forvarying the actual physical structure other than the display portionsthereof.

In the variation of the structure it is contemplated that the displayelements will be arranged in groups ofreadily interchangeable units,-

and that the individual elements may be changed and interchanged withina unit, and from unit to unit, to the end that various compositions andarrangements may be made with the same or additional display elementsand units.

- It is also an object of the invention to produce a series of standardparts which may be formed in a variety of lengths and shapes so designedthat an infinitesimal number of sizes, shapes and designs of completedstructures may be formed,

constructed or assembled from the same or like parts, either-with orwithout the subtraction or addition ofelements.

Another object contemplates a method of as-' sembling the partsefliciently and economically to produce a great number and variety ofstructures from standard parts, which structures will 40 be pleasing inappearance and productive in reasonable quantity at low cost; and whichmethod will permit quick dissembling of all or part of any structure forthe purpose of shipping, repair, service, replacement of any part, orchange of design. In a copending application, Ser. No. 107,493, filedOctober 24, 1936, there is disclosed a method of shaping, curving,bending and polarizing sections or pieces of glass, crystal orequivalent transparent and translucent, light transmitting material forthe production of sign elements, in which light may be transmittedthrough an edge of said. element in one direction and carried throughanother plane of the element to illuminate a letter or design which maybe etched or sand-blasted upon a surface of the element,

,and an important feature of the present invention resides in theproduction of a type of sign, display, advertising or decorativestructure,

- which is particularly designed and adapted'to'the 5 use of such curvedor bent elements, and upon which elements, the letters, compositions,designs, etc., have been etched or sandblasted upon a sur-. face in aplaneat an angle to the axial surface or length thereof. 1 That is tosay, it is contem- 10 plated that the present invention isparticularlyadapted to theuse of polarized glass elements having angularly Idisposed portions extending through at least two planes and upon one ofwhich portions is placed a design. Such an element 16 lends itself wellto illuminating efiects and permits thev transmission of light throughan edge of an angular portion for transmission tothe design upon theother surface, and the element per se forms an important part of thisinvention. 20

The objects of the invention further include the production ofastructure in which suchcurved or bent glasssections may be easilyremoved, replaced, changed and interchanged in various sizes, positionsand arrangements without changing or adjusting the main structure of thedevice, and contemplate a-method of inserting or applying said signelements in position so that the inserted edge of a radial axis of theelement is exposed to a source of light.

Still another object of the invention resides in a sign structurecomprising acurved or bent section of glass or equivalent lighttransmitting vitreous material having a letter, design, or othercomposition etched or sandblasted thereon, and having the edge of theradial axis of said glass inserted or'held in the signal structure insuch a manner as to expose that edge to a source of lightgand causingthe sandblasted or etched portion to be illuminated on a substantiallyvertical plane from the light source disposed at right angles orhorizontal thereto with respect to the illuminable portion.

In addition to the arrangement of standard parts and assemblage thereon,interchangeably, the objects of the invention include in a such a signstructure,-a series of curved or bent sections having individualletters, designs, etc., thereon andilluminable, as heretofore set out,which sec-- tions are changeable and interchangeable so as to form newcompositions with the same or additional sections, and adapted forarrangement in groups each forming a unit, and for changing andinterchanging the sections not only. with an individual unit but fromone unit to another.

To this end, means are provided for supporting the sections solidly, butin such a manner as to permit ready removal and replacement thereofwithin the sign structure.

1 It is also contemplated that the sign or other structure of thisinvention will be of the type particularly designed and constructed tofacilitate the changing, interchanging, and illumination of the saidsections to form a variety of compositions and arrangements with thesame or additional sections, and to facilitate changing andinterchanging a variety of sizes of illuminable sections, as well as tofacilitate changing and interchanging the groups or units ofcompositions, and the color or colors of the illumination of saidcompositions. I

One of the important features of the invention resides in the type ofcurved or bent glass or light transmitting vitreous material, having acertain degree of so-called polarization or internal reflection over andthrough the area where the bend occurs, the elements being polarized, ina manner that permits only those rays of light. which are projected in aplane parallel to the opposing surfaces of the glass from an axial edgethereof to pass through and beyond said bent area, and in illuminatingthe etched or sandblasted section which is disposed at right angles tothe axial edge and surfaces thereof, while restricting the passage oflight rays which are projected on other planes not parallel to theradial surfaces of the bend. For a description of the method or manner,of furnishing polarization, reference may be made to my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 107,493, above mentioned.

The restriction of these non-parallel rays at the bend prevents theirescape which otherwise would impair the effectiveness and visibility ofthe internal illumination of the sandblasted portion.

From a structural standpoint, the invention also includes means forpreventing light being conducted along and reflected from the marginalport ons of the element bordering the edge where illumination isintroduced.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects which will appearas the description proceeds, reference may be made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

F g. 1 is a front elevation of an assembled structure;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of Fig. 2, taken on theline s -s of Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of an intermed ate portion of Fig, 2,illustrating aslightly different mode of assemblage;

FiFig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of F1Fig. 6 is a sectiontaken on the line 6-6 of Fig. '7 is a plan view of the structureillustrating a section on the line l-'! of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating disassembledstructural details, arranged in proper relation to each other forassembling;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a display element;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of a modified form of assembled structure,on the line llll0 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 11 is a section thereof taken'on the line ll-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a structural detail;

m. 13. is a fragmentary perspective view of another structural detail;and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of an intermediate portion of Fig. 10,illustrating a mode of assemblage.

In explaining the manner of assembling a sign, or other structure of thetype referred to, it should be noted that the purpose of this method ofconstruction, and the design of the parts adapted thereto is one thatpossesses the advantages of fabricating standard parts for a largevariety of structural arrangements and sizes and greatly improves themethods employed in ordinary sign or tin shop practice.

All of the structural elements going to the make-up of the structuresmay be designed as standard parts, not limited to use solely in oneposition or location, but adapted for arrangement in variouscombinations, units, or groups of parts to form various effects eitherin horizontal or vertical positions. They are adapted to single ormultiple lines of compositions in a variety of sizes and illuminablecolor effects relative to the compositions and combinations thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numeralsdesignate like parts, there is shown for purposes of illustration a signsuch as might be used for lunch room or cafe display. This signcomprises generally a supporting enclosure or frame formed of a base l0,an upright standard or support H at either end, and a top l2, withinwhich will be arranged a variable dis- 1 play consisting of a desiredcomposition, illuminated from vthe rear, and arranged so that the raysof light will be passed through the display. A top d splay may beprovided, the display element l3 thereof being positioned to receiveillumination through its lower edge from the same or similar source ofillumination for the main or central display.

A back plate l4 serves to complete the general member I! may assume theform of a channel iron of a depth approx mating the width of the flangeI60, and the member l8, which forms a key for cross members, hereinafterdescribed. may be'a channel iron of a depth approximating the width ofthe flange lGb. The member I9 is in the form of a, stepped angle ironhaving an overall width approximating that of the flange I 8b, and isused to hold the back plate ll in position.

If desired, a foot plate or shoe 20 (Fig. 1) may be provided for thebase of an upright unit II. this shoe 20 being merely an angle bracketwhich may be positioned with one flat side across the base of the unit,and the other flat side extending upwardly againstan upright wall of theunit, such as an inner face of the member ii.

To assemble the structural members and form a complete upright, onevertical flange of the member 19 will be secured to the outer face ofthe flange Nb andany convenient manner, as by welding, and the shoe orfoot plate 20 is then welded or otherwise attached to one end a: themember I! to provide a support therefor. Two such units, one right andone left, are then of the foot plate or *shoe 20.

The channel iron I! may then be inserted with its open side against theinner face of the member 2 and secured in place. a

The variable display itself, within the enclosure or frame, and theilluminating media therefor, are supported by a series of cross memberswhich may be assembled into units to form as many rows or lines as maybe desired in a given structure, and by particular reference to Figs. 2,3 and 8 the nature of these cross members may be bestobserved.

The main member of each unit is a reticulated or lattice-like channeliron 23, the edges of which are turned inwardly to form flanges 24, theside wall opposed to the flanges 24 being cut out to form flange-likeportions 25 separated by struts 29. Spacer channel irons 21, cooperativetherewith, are formed with out-turned edges, providing flanges 28. Thedimensions of the members 23 and 21 are relatively proportioned suchthat the member 23 may rest on one side wall of the member 21, with aflange portion 25 extending coextensively with aflange 28, withouthowever obscuring the reticulated portion towards which i the flange 28extends.

The member 23 serves to enclose and support a gripping means forsecuring the display elements. in position. This means comprises a pairof opposed resilient friction members 29, preferably formed of strips ofrubber, or like material extending throughout the length of the member23 and clamped in place by .a pair of channel irons 33 which may beinterleaved in inverted relation, as best shown in Fig. 3; Naturally,the proportions of the channel iron and the thickness of the strip 29will be such that when assembled the strip will be clamped in position.Duplicate units .each comprising a strip 29 and channel irons 30 and 3|will be provided for each cross member 23, one unit being placed in thetop between the flanges 24 and 25, andthe other unit being similarlyplaced in reverse position in the bottom of the member 23.

A bottom cross member 32 similar to the member 21 is provided, thismember 32 having butone edge turned outwardly to form a flange 33similar to theflange 28. A top member 34 in the form of a stepped angleiron serves to complete the main series of cross members or units. Inassembly of the cross members with the main supporting enclosure orframe,'it is simply necessary to place the member 32 on the base It],with its ends extending into the enclosures of the right and leftstructural members IS. The closed side of the member 32 will extendacross the rear of the channel irons ll, into engagement with the innerfaces of the members l6. Then an assemblage consisting of thereticulated member 23 with the strips 29 and clamping members 39-- 3lwill be placed on top of the member 32, the flange portions 25 andstruts 29 being disposed toward the rear, and the strips 29 toward thefront of the structure. top of this unit may be placed a spacing member21, with its open side and flanges 23 toward the rear. The spacer 21 maybe topped with another reticulated unit 23, and these spacing members 21and reticulated units may be stacked upon and parallel to each otheruntil the desired height, 1

and number of rows of design are attained. The stack may then besurmounted with the top member 34 to equal the total height of the up! 3right assembly II. This mei iiber u may be suitably bolted to theupright columns ii through openings Na and 34a by 'a'"bolt 35.

Once the stack of cross members is assembled,

with, their ends extending into the respective uprights Ii the channeliron l8, which forms a key for holding the cross members in place, maybe forced into the right and left hand channels of the uprights ii, andbetween the rear internal surfaces of the flanges lib of said channelsand the rear of the stacked up cross members, thereby to force the frontsurfaces-of the cross members against the rear of the channel member Hwhich, of course, has previously been insertedin the member l6.

If no top display is desired, the assemblage is now capped ,by themember i2, but in the preferred form where it is desired to provide atop display l3, a unit similar to the reticulated unit 23 is firstmounted on the stepped member 34. 20

This unit will be positioned with the reticulated or cut-out side of itsmember 23 downwardly, and

instead of a single pair of strips 29 and clamping irons 30-3 l two ormore superposed sets of strips and clamping members may be used, toafford the 25 necessary strength for holding the display ele--' ment l3in position. Any suitable spacing and holding means, such as compositionor rubber blocks 36, may be secured at the rear of the top displayholding unit, to brace same. so

Illuminating means are provided at the rear of the stacked crossmembers, preferably in the form of neon, or equivalent gas tubes 39, and

. while not essential, these illuminating tubes are desirably clampedadjacent to andacross the reticulated portions of the members 23. Thisis effective to block passage oflight along and reflected from marginalportions of the display elements.

Suitable leads 40 serve to supply current from a control box H which mayserve to house any conventional form of flasher, or other controlmechanism for producing variable illuminating effects.

The display itself is preferably in the form of curved or bent elementsof glass, crystal, or equivalent transparent or translucent vitreousmaterial, upon which letters, compositions, de' signs, or the like, havebeen etched or sandblasted upon a surface at right angles, or anyintermediateangle, to the axial surface or length thereof. I

In Fig. 9, such an element 44 is illustrated. and it will be observedthat this element comprises amain body portion or surface 45, carrying aletter 48, and a flange 41, angularly disportion 49 thereof and downthrough the body .70

portion 45, producing a very pleasing effect on the, etched or blastedletter 43. 1

A series of'these elements 44 may be readily inserted and-removed fromthe face of the entire structure, merely by forcing the portion 4] g;-

laterally between strips II, which conveniently yield to receive sameandfrictionally hold the elements 44 in position.

If the display is to be used outdoors, an upper one of the strips 29 maybe bent outwardly, in-

stead of inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, to

afford a rain shed, and to protect the display from the weather.

The element It will, of course, be similarly inserted from the top ofthe structure through a suitable slot Ila, as will be seen from Fig. 3,until the lower edge thereof rests in part upon the cross member 34. Thespace afforded between the rear of the cross member 34 and the flangeportion of the top reticulated unit permits light to reach the elementi3, from within the structure.

The foregoing description of a preferred form is, of course, notintended as limiting but as illustrative of one mode and arrangement ofsign elements. Many modifications will occur to those skilled in theart, and as illustrative of an alternate construction embodying theinventive features, reference may be made to Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive,wherein an alternate "sign face assembly is illustrated. Where elementsof these figures are the same as the elements of Figs. 1 to 9, the samereference numerals are used; where additional elements are introduced,new reference numerals have been applied.

A principal portion of this alternate face assembly is shown in Fig. 13,wherein l9 designates a face or spacer plate secured to a channel member50 in any suitable manner, as by spot weld-' ing. The member 50comprises a pair of shoulders or angles II which are shaped to mergeinto walls 62 disposed in substantially parallel relation to the mainbody portion of the channel member 50. The walls 52 will be oppositelyspaced 9. predetermineddistance on both sides of. and formed as part ofthe body of the member Bil, whereupon when the spacer plate 49 islongitudinally secured to the body of the member 50, as shown in Fig.13, a pair of channels or grooves 54 will be formed. In Fig. 12 is shownone of the strips 29 which, when placed in a channel 54 and wedged orsnugly fitted therein by means of a strip 55 (corresponding somewhat infunction to the channel clamps serves to complete the. assembly of across member. This cross member corresponds to the cross membersillustrated in Fig. 8.

, the element I 6 against the face of the member H, when positionedproperly therein and clamped at both ends by the member II.

A preferred method of arranging the cross member assembled to form asign face of any predetermined size is shownclearly in Fig. 10, whereinthe cross assemblies are arranged in the desired number and length uponthe face of the channel element l1, and secured in fixer. positionthereto by spot welding, or bolting. (Spot welding is illustrated inFig. 11.)

It will thus be observed that the parts If, 49 and may be fastenedtogether in one operation and that all of the parts for any mode ofassembling are adapted to standardization, and. may be cut to anypredetermined length just as the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8.

As shown in Fig. 10, each of the pair of strips 2|, positioned in thechannels ll, of a cross assembly serves to close one-half of oneretaining slot for the display element 44, and the other half issimilarly closed by a strip 28 in an adjacent cross assembly, all ofwhich is quite similar to the arrangement of Figures 1 to 8. Thispermits a variable spacing of the retaining or gripping slot adapted toreceive a display element 44 of any predetermined thickness.

The use, advantages, mode of assemblage and operation will be obviousfrom the foregoing. The parts necessary for a given structure arestandard and interchangeable in the construction of other signs ofdifferent size, shape and style. All parts can be carried as stock, andno special elements are necessary for any individual structure. Hence itfollows that the designs of one complete sign may be dismantled and theparts used in the construction of a different assemblage. Because ofthese features, a method of assemblage that is efllcient, pleasing inappearance, and economical in production is afforded, permitting a greatnumber and variety of structures to be formed from standard parts at lowcost in reasonable quantity.

By the same token, quick disassemblage for purpose of shipping, repairs,service, or replacement, is obtained.

With all of these advantages, there is found the additional factor of avery attractive sign display, or advertising device in which anindividual design may be readily varied and changed withoutdisassembling the component structural elements of the frame orindividual supports for the display members.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like relativelyinterchangeable display units mounted in predetermined relation to eachother and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeableand interchangeable display elements and supporting means therefor, saidelements being disposed with a display face extending through a plane inadvance of the supporting means, and having a marginal edge extendinginto said supporting means at an angle to the display face, saidsupporting means including a bendable, opaque friction strip extendinglongitudinally of a unit, in position to frictionally engage theelements thereof, and means to illuminate said elements. I

2. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relativelyinterchangeable display units I mounted in predetermined relation toeach other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relativelychangeable and interchangeable display elements formed oflight-transmitting material and supporting means therefor, said elementsbeing disposed with a display face extending through a plane in advanceof the supporting means, and having a maginal edge extending into saidsupporting means at an angle to the display face, and' means positionedto illuminate said elements through said marginal edge.

3. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relativelyinterchangeable display units mounted in predetermined relation to eachother and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeableand interchangeable display elements and supporting means therefor, saidelements being disposed with a display face extending through a plane inadvance of the supporting means, and having a marginal edge extendinginto said supporting means at an angle to the display face, saidelements each being illuminable from said marginal edge, means toilluminate said elements from said marginal edge, and means to blockpassage of light except through said elements. i

4. A sign structure comprising-a plurality of like, relativelyinterchangeable display units mounted in predetermined relation to eachother and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeableand interchangeable display elements and supporting means therefor, saidelements being disposed with a display face extending through a plane inadvance of the supporting means, and having'a. marginal edge extendinginto said supporting means at an angle to the display face, said.supporting means including a bendable, opaque friction strip ex' tendinglongitudinally of a. unit in position to frictionally engage theelements thereof, and means to illuminate said elements, theilluminating means -for the elements of each unit being supported by andforming part of the respective unit.

5. A sign structure comprising a plurality of changeable andinterchangeable display means of vitreous material, each having aplurality of edges disposed in different planes, means to support saiddisplay means by a marginal portion adjacent one of said edges; means toilluminate said display means through said edge and marginal portion,and means carried by said supporting means for blocking passage of lightalong and reflected from marginal portions of said display meansadjacent the remaining edges, when the illumination of the display meansis effected.

6. A sign structure comprising a plurality, of display units mounted inpredetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality ofsimilar, relatively changeable and interchangeable, light transmittingvitreous display elements and supporting means therefor, said elementsbeing disposed with a display face extending through a plane in advanceof the supporting means and having a marginal edge portion extendinginto said supporting means at an angle to the display face, saidelements having a design etched on the display face and each beingilluminable from said marginal edge portion, and means toilluminate'said elements from said marginal edge portion.

7. A sign structure comprising a plurality of display'units mounted inpredetermined relation to each other-and each comprising, a plurality ofsimilar, relatively changeable and interchangeable, light transmittingvitrebus display elements and supporting means therefor, said elementsbeing disposed with a display face extending through a planein advanceof the supporting means and having a marginal edge portion extendinginto said supporting means at an angle to the display face, saidelements having a design etched on the displayface and each beingilluminable from said marginal edge portion, said elements beingpolarized whereby light entering the marginal edge will be transmittedthroughsaid edge and into the display portion thereof,

and means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge portion.

8. In a sign structure having illuminable display elements,a holder forsaid elements having a passage for the lateral insertion therein of theelements, and a lattice-like portion opposing the passage, a pair ofedgewise aligned, normally abutting, resilient members having opposedsec tions arranged in the path of and bendable by .will extend acrossthe holder, and a luminous element arranged exteriorly of saidlattice-like portion for illuminating the inserted display elementthrough the edgeof itsinserted end.

9. A display element for signs comprising a vitreous, light transmittingbody having a portion with a design etched in one face thereof. amarginal portion, and a curved portion connecting the aforesaid portionsto extend the marginal portion through a plane. angularly disposed withrespect to the plane of said design, said marginal portion forming asupporting medium for attachment of the element inoperative position,and the curvature of the curved portion being such as'to transmit lightentering the marginal portion, into the design portion.

10. A'- display element for signs comprising a.

vitreous light transmitting body having a design etched in one facethereof, and a marginal portion bent from said design to extend througha' plane angularly disposed with respect to the plane of said design,said marginal portion forming a supporting medium for' attachment of theelement in operative position, said element having the characteristicthat light entering. the marginal portion will be transmitted around thebend and through the face carrying the design.

11. A sign structure of tife class described comprising a base, uprightcolumns each formed of a series of standard, interchangeable elements,in-

terleaved and nested to form the column, and a,

12. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, uprightcolumns each formed of a series of standard, interchangeable elements,

interleaved and nested to form the column, and a topelementinterconnecting said columns and forming a frame'with saidcolumns and base; a variable display within said frame, comprisingelements of lighttransmitting material each having a body portionadapted to receive a design, and a marginal portion extending at an,

angle to the body portion to form a supporting medium for the element;supporting means for said element extending between said columns andcomprising opposed, normallyabutting, resilient members adapted-toreceive therebetween, the marginal portions of the elements, and meansto illuminate said elements thrdugh said marginal portions. a v

13. A si%struoture of the class described comprising a b e, uprightcolumns each formed of a series of standard, interchangeable elements,

interleaved and nested to form the column, and

a top element interconnecting said col and forming a frame with saidcolumns and ase; a variable display within said frame, comprisingelements of light transmitting material each havinga body portionadapted to. receive a design,

and a marginal portion extending at an angle to the body portion to forma supporting medium for th element; supporting means for said elementextending between said columns and comprising opposed, normallyabutting, resilient members adapted to receive therebetween, themarginal portions of the elements.

14. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, uprightcolumns each formed of a. series of standard, interchangeable elements,interleaved and nested to form the column, and a top elementinterconnecting said columns and forming a frame with said columns andbase; a variable display within said frame, comprising elements of lighttransmitting material each having a body portion adapted to receive adesign, and a marginal portion extending at an angle to the body portionto form a supporting medium for the element; supporting means for saidelement extending between said columns and comprising opposed, normallyabutting, resilient members adapted to receive therebetween, themarginal portions of the elements, and a reticulated channel memberenclosing said resilient members, having its openings opposite to theresilient member, and illuminating means positioned adjacent theopenings of said reticulated member and effective to illuminate saidelements through the marginal portions thereof.

15. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, uprightcolumns each formed of a series or standard interchangeable elements,interleaved and nested to form the column, and a top elementinterconnecting said columns and forming a frame withlsaid columns andbase; a variable display within said frame, comprising changeable andinterchangeable display elements each having a body portion adapted toreceive a design and a marginal portion extending at an angle to thebody portion to form a supporting medium for the element; supportingmeans for said element extending between said columns and comprisingopposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted to receivetherebetween the marginal portlonsoi the elements.

16. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, uprightcolumns each formed of a series ofstandard interchangeable elements,

angle to the body portion to form a supporting medium for the element;supporting means for said element extending between said columns andcomprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adaptedtoreceive therebetween the marginal portions oi the elements, and areticulated channel member enclosing said re-.

silient members, having its openings positioned at the rear of saidresilient members.

1'7. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, uprightcolumns each formed of a series of standard interchangeable elements,interleaved and nested to form the column, a top element interconnectingsaid columns and forming a frame with said columns and base; aw

variable display within said frame, comprising changeable andinterchangeable display elements each having a body portion adapted toreceive a design and a marginal portion extending at an angle to thebody portion to form a supporting memos medium for the element;supporting means for said element extending between said columns andcomprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted toreceive therebetween the marginal portions or the elements, and a topdisplay element extending through said top element, and supporting meanstherefor comprising a plurality of sets of opposed normally abuttingresilient members adapted to receive therebetween an edge portion ofsaid top display element.

18. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, uprightcolumns each formed of a series of standard interchangeable elements,interleaved andrnested to form the column, a top element interconnectingsaid columns and forming a frame with said columns and base; a variabledisplay within said frame, comprising changeable and interchangeabledisplay elements each having a body portion adapted to receive a designand a marginal portion forming asupporting medium for the element;supporting means for said element extending between said columns andcomprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted toreceive therebetween the marginal portions of the elements, and a topdisplay element extending through said top element, and supporting meanstherefor comprising a plurality of sets of opposed normally abuttingresilient members adapted to receive therebetween an edge portion ofsaid top display element 19. A knock down structure of the classdescribed comprising a frame, cross members extending transverselythereof, and display elements supported by said cross members, saidcross members being composed of a plurality of standard, interchangeableand replaceable elements including a reticulated channel element, andyieldable strips detachably clamped in said retlculated member in anedge abutting relation, and said display elements having a marginalportion insertable between said strips, and a body portion disposed inangular relation to said marginal portion, whereby to extend and displaya design thereon over said cross member.

20. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a framehavingupright columns formed of standardinterchangeable and replaceableelements, interleaved and nested to form a single unit, cross membersextending transversely thereof, and display elements'supp rted by saidcross members, said cross members being=comp06ed of aplurality ofstandard, interchangeable and replaceable elements including areticulated channel element, and yieldable strips detachably clamped insaid reticulated member in an edge abutting relation, and said displayelements having a marginal portion insertable between said strips, and abody portion disposed in angular relation to said marginal portion,whereby to extend and display a design thereon. over said cross member.

21. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a framehaving unitary sections composed of a plurality of standard,interchangeable andreplaceable structural elements, interleaved andnested to form the unitary sections, and cross supports for thereception and mounting of display means, composed of interchangeable andreplaceable structural elements, interleaved and nested to form singleunits.

22. A knock down structure oi the class described comprising a framehaving unitary sections composed of a plurality oi standard, interstripsof the two members and held in place by reception and retention ofdisplay elements.

23. A knock down structure of the class described comprising aframehaving unitary sections composed of a plurality of standard,interchangeable and replaceable structural elements,

interleaved and nested to form the unitary sections, and cross supportsfor the reception and mounting of display means, composed ofinterchangeable and replaceable structural elements, interleaved andnested to form single units, said cross supports including as componentparts of each unit, yieldable sections adapted for the receptionandretention of display elements, and means to supply illuminationthroughsaid cross supports. r

24. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a framehaving unitary sections composed of a plurality of standard,interchangeable and replaceable structural elements interleaved andnested to form the unitary sections, cross supports for the receptionand mounting of display means, composed of interchangeable andreplaceable structural elements, interleaved and nested to form singleunits, said cross supports including as component parts of each unit,yieldable sections adapted for the reception and retention of displayelements; display elements formed of light transmitting, vitreousmaterial carried by said supports, and means carried by said supportsfor illuminating said display elements.

25. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a frame,cross members extending transversely thereof, and display elementssupported by said cross members, said cross members being composed-of aplurality of standard, interchangeable and replaceable elementsincluding a reticulated channel element,

and yieldable strips detachably clamped in said reticulated member in anedge abutting relation,

said strips being bendable both inwardly and outwardly of said frame,and said display elements having a marginal portion inset-table betweensaid strips, and a body portion disposed in angular relation to saidmaginal portion, whereby to extend and display a design thereon oversaid cross member.

26. A sign structure comprising a plurality of display units mounted inpredetermined relasaid supporting means comprising a member 7 formed ofa flat plate having secured to it a channel member formed with flanges,said plate and flanges cooperating to receive and retain a frictionalstrip, with the edge of said strip extending beyond the flanges, and asecond member similarly constructed and positioned in juxtaposition tothe first member, whereby said elements may be inserted between thefrictional po'rtion. 31. In a sign structure, a display element said.strips.

27. A sign structure comprising a plurality of display units mounted inpredetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of5 similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elementsand supporting means therefor, said elements being provided with aportion arranged to extend into said supporting means, and saidsupporting means comprising a 10 member formed of a flat plate havingsecured to it a channel member formed with flanges, said plate andflanges cooperating to receive and retain a frictional strip, with theedge of said strip extending beyond the flanges, and a second 15 membersimilarly constructed and positioned in juxtaposition to the firstmember, whereby said elements may be inserted between the frictionalstrips of the two members and held in place by said strips. 1

28. A sign structure comprising a plurality of display units mounted inpredetermined relation to each other and each comprising a pluralityvitreous, light transmitting body formed from sheet material, and havinga portion with a design formed therein, a marginal portion forming asupport for the body spaced from said design portion, and a bent portionconnecting the aforesaid portions to extend the marginal portion througha plane angularly disposed with respect to the plane of said design,said bent portion having the characteristic that light rays entering themarginal portion will be transmitted around the bend and into the designportion.

30. In a sign structure,- a display element comprising a vitreous, lighttransmitting plate-like body having a portion presenting a surface witha design formed therein, a marginal portion spaced from said designportion, and a curved r52 means for said display element engageable withsaid marginal portion, and means positioned to illuminate said designthrough said marginal comprising a vitreous, light transmittingplatelike body having a portion presenting a surface with a designformed therein, a marginal portion spaced from said design portion, andabent portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend the margdnalportion through a plane angularly' disposed with respect to the plane ofsaid design, said element having thecharacteristic that light enteringthe marginal portion will be transmitted around the bend to the design,supporting means for said display element engageable with said marginalportion, and means positioned to illuminate said design through saidmarginal portion.

portion into the design portion, supporting 32. In a sign structure, adisplay element comprising a vitreous, light transmitting body having aportion with a design etched in one face thereof, a marginal portion,and a curved portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend themarginal portion through a plane angulariy disposed with respect to theplane of said design, said marginal portion forming a supporting mediumfor attachment ollhe element in operative position, supporting means forsaid display element engageable with said marginal portion, thecurvature of the curved portion being such as to transmit light enteringthe marginal portion into the design portion, and means positioned toilluminate said design through said marginal portion.

33. In a sign structure, a display element comprising a vitreous, lighttransmitting body having a design etched in one face thereof, and amarginal portion bent from said design to extend through a planeanguiarly disposed with respect to the plane of said design, saidmarginal portion forming a supporting medium for attachment oftheeiement in operative position. said element having the characteristicthat light entering the marginal portion will be transmitted around thebend and through the face carrying the design, supporting means for saiddisplay element engageabie with said marginal portion, and

means positioned to illuminate said design through said marginalportion.

34. In a sign structure, a display element comprising a vitreous, lighttransmitting body formed from sheet material, and having a portion witha design formed therein, a marginal portion spaced from said designportion, and a bent portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extendthe marginal portion through a plane anguiarly disposed with respect tothe plane of said design, said bent portion having the characteristicthat light rays entering the marginal portion will be transmitted aroundthe bend and into the design. portion, supporting means for said displayelement engageable with said marginal portion, and means positioned toilluminate said design through said marginal portion.

35. A display element for a sign having sup porting means for theelement and means located toiiluminate the element to a marginal portionthereof when said element is in its supported position, said elementcomprising a vitreous, light transmitting body formed from sheetmaterial, and having two portions disposed in relatively diiferentplanes, and a portion connecting the aforesaid portions, one of saidfirst two portions having a design formed therein, and the other thereofproviding a supporting medium for attachment of the element in operativeposition, the connecting portion having the characteristic that lightentering the supporting portion will be transmitted into the design ofthe other por-.

tion.

36. A display element for signs comprising a vitreous, lighttransmitting body formed from sheet material, and having two portionsdisposed in relatively different planes, and a portion connecting theaforesaid portions, one of said first two portions having a designformed therein, and the other thereof providing a supporting medium forattachment of the element in operative position, the connecting portionhaving the characteristic that light entering the supporting portionwill be transmitted into the design of the other portion.

37. A display'eiement for signs comprising a light transmitting bodyformed from sheet material, and having a portion with a design formedtherein, a marginal supporting portion spaced from said design portion,and a bent portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend themarginal portion through a plane angularly, disposed with-respect to theplane of said design, said element having the characteristic that lightentering the marginal portion will be transmitted around the bend to thedesign.

LYMAN E. CUNNINGHAM.

